Automatic wire clip forming and closing machine



Dec. l2, 1933. C;l PASS 1,939,020

4 AUTOMATIC WIRE CLIP FORMING AND CLOSING MACHINE Filed Jan. 7, 1931 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 mamar/fz @iw-'w NEW!! Illu;

, V33 1 rl P l wm g il@ @mm Dec. 12, 1933. H. c. PASS AUTOMATIC WIRE CLIP FORMING AND CLOSING MACHINE F'led Jan. '7. 1931 5-v sheets-sheet 5 Patented Dec. 12, 1933 UNITED STATES AUTOMATIC WIRE CLIP FOEMNG AND CLOSING MACHINE Harry Carl Pass, Toronto, Ontario, Canada, as-

signor of one-half to Walter W. Cumming, and one-half to Henry Walter Stuart Cumming, both of Toronto, Ontario, Canada Application January 7, 1931. Serial No. 507,281

9 Claims. (Cl. 140-11) The object of this invention is to provide an automatic machine for making a wire clip and when made to close same around two or more pieces.

I attain my object by providing feed rollers to feed the wire a predetermined distance, means for cutting off same and delivering cut pieces to a forming anvil in such a position as to correctly receive the thrust of two angular forming l0 arms. The semi-formed clip upon the recession of the forming arms is then kickedoi the forming anvil by a movable sleeve, and gravitates down an inclined transmission bar. In this positionit is picked by the transfer fingers in notch progression and placed in the mechanically operated pliers. Y

The machine is designed to be suspended from the ceiling of a factory so that the base of the machine will be flush with the article on whichv the Work is to be performed. The spiral spring coils to be clipped together for springgmattress or cushion construction are placed on the table beneath the base of the machine, and can be readily moved in position. Y

The mechanical pliers containing the semi,-A formed clip then plunge downwards against two of the spiral springs of the spring mattress or cushion and the resistance thus offered tends to force them to the upper curvature of the clip.

.30 The pliers then are automatically brought vtothe individual handling of manufactured wireVv clips has added greatly to the cost of producing coil spring construction Vin mattresses `and cushions, but has eliminated the deteriorating effect through rust of the twine fastening. g While other devices have beendesigned to fasten spiral coils in spring mattress construction together, my invention Will adequately meet the demands of high grade coil spring construction where each spring is individually covered by a light weight cotton material. Present devices will only meet the demand for an open coil spring l construction. My invention is designed to meet both types of construction more economically and with a greater speed ratio.

Without in anywise restricting the generality of this invention as described in the specifications hereto, the particular aspect under consideration is that of metallically fastening together adjacent spiral coil springs of bed spring mattresses, spring cushion constructions etc., (especially those encased in cotton or other fabricated material).

This invention discloses several new and novel features, primarily the cutting means which is reciprocated laterally by a circular cam, not only cutting the wire on its rearward reciprocation but also retaining same in the groove provided in thecutting means. The cutting means pri- 70v orally having been magnetically charged, thecut wire is thus securely held in the groove of the cutting block and thus delivered rearwardly to the forming anvil.

In the above described manner the cut wire from` which the clip is made is delivered rear-- wardly to the forming anvil, and in such position a dwell in the cam reciprocating the cutting means allows for a vertically reciprocated holding means to hold the cut'wire securely on the form- 80 ing anvil, Yat which time the cutting means is reciprocated forwardly leaving the cut wire se-V curely held on the forming anvil by the vertically reciprocated hold down.

A secondary novel'feature is embodied in the 85 partial forming means of the two angularly disposed forming arms to form the -wire around the forming anvil, which when formed is ejected from the forming anvil to the incline section of the transmission bar as will now be explained. A 901 reciprocating sleeve Which supports the formingv anvil ejects the partially formed clips from the forming anvil to the incline section of the transmission., bar .which abuts the forward end of the forming anvil and down which the partially formed clips gravitate to the notched transmission bar. 1 v `A novel feature'is also disclosed in the notched transmission bar which allows only forward movement of the partiallyformed clips to the closing pliers. Combined with this is the feature of the gravity fingers attached to the cutting means and reciprocated with same by the circular camas previously described, so that on the rearward.reciprocation the clip wire is cut and delivered-rearwardly to the forming anvil, while on theforward reciprocation the partially formed clips on the notched transmission bar are moved one position forward to the closing pliers by the gravity fingers. 1 10 The partially formed clips are as above described, delivered to the closing pliers which are pivotally mounted on a vertically reciprocated sliding member actuated by a grooved cam and bell crank with separate open faced cams designed to become operative on the closing pliers when in their downward position and in which position the pieces to be clipped are inserted by manual means.

The grooved cam operating the bell crank vertically reciprocating the slide supporting the closing pliers is so arranged to give as long a dwell as possible when in the extreme lowered position before the referred to open faced cams become operative on the closingA pliers to close the clip around the inserted pieces, thus allowing the operator ample time in which to place the pieces to be clipped into the partially formed clip held in the jaws of the closing pliers.

The invention is hereinafter more fully described and `illustrated in the accompanying drawings in which:-

1 is a side elevation of the wire forming and transfer mechanism, with certain parts, including platform supports notk shown for clearness.

Fig. 2 is a front elevation with Fig. 3 removed and platform supports not shown and base not fully extended.

Fig. 3 is the mechanical pliers with the necessary cam movements.

Fig.Y 4 is a backrview of the machine showing the motor platform with motor in position, necessary gearing andl suspension bolts.

Fig. 5 is a plan view of Fig. 3.

Fig. 6 is a detail of the front elevation as seen in Fig. 3 showing formed clip on transmission bar. (sectioned at A, Fig. 1.) Fig. 7 a detail of the link transfer mechanism as seen in Fig. 1 showing synchronized movement of transmission bar support slide with transmission fingers.

Fig. 8 a wire link as it would appear upon transmission bar ready to be received by the mechanical pliers.

Fig. 9, plan view of open spiral coil spring construction showing the link locking two spiral coils together.

Machine suspension andtripping mechanisme As shown in Figure 4 the machine is suspended from the ceiling by a -tube or rod a, and locked in position by locknut b into the casting c, which in turn is securely fastened to the platform d' byfour suspension bolts c1, (c2 not shown), c3 and c4 not shown). The suspension bolts c2 varidlci are horizontally directly behind c1 and'c3. The platform d supports an electric motor e, the pinion f of which drives a gear g journalledin a hub on the platform d. Attached to the gear g isa pinion h connecting with the gearfly wheel i, of

which a sectional view only is also shown in Fig. 1'.v

The motor e is in constant rotation and so the gear fly wheel i is likewise. A clutching connec- 65" tion isrformed between the main drive-shaft' and the gear fly wheel i by the tripping of the clutchcaused by energizing the -coil 7' so that the arm k fulcruming on the stud l releasesthe latch pin` arm m. The small coil spring n countersunk into the latch pin arm m and supported on the bent arm o forces the clutch pin in a clockwise direction to form a clutching engagement with the circular recess p in the gear fly wheel i and so in the regular punch press trip manner the shaft 3 is revolved one revolution by each energization of the coil y'. The arm k being returned to its neutral position against the stop q as shown Vwhen the coil j is de-energized. The arm k is returned to this neutral position by the finger pressing spring r inserted in the stud s in the casting t which likewise carries the stop stud q and the stud l on which the arm lc fulcrums. This casting t being attached to the main base 1 by screws t1 and t2. The ily wheel gear z' is mounted on a hardened sleeve u for clutching purposes as shown 1n Fig. 1.

The suspension bolts 171 (U2 not shown), v3 and (o4 not shown) (as explained with the c1-c4 suspension bolts) support the main base 1 of the machine, upon which all other mechanism is mounted and controlled.

The field wires w and :c of the magnetic coil j lead to a foot switch in easy access of the operator,

, so that'each time the coil y' is energized the drive shaft 3 makes one complete revolution. During this revolution sufficient wire is fed to form a new clip, a new clip is formed, and one clip has been secured to two spiral coil springs as shown in Fig. 9.

Wire feeding, cui 017 and forming mechanism Upon the drive shaft 3 is carried the circular cam 4, the gear 5 andthe cam 6 (see Figs. 1 and 2) the cam 6 has upon its circumference a high point '7 (see Fig. 2) and upon each revolution plunges down the wire holding slide 8 as will be later explained. Thegear 5 to which the cam 6 is dowelled, meshes with tw-o grooved cam gears 9 and 10. The cam grooves of which drive down the forming arms l1 and 12, and so form a clip as shown in Fig. 3. These forming arms 1l and 12 work in grooves e (see Fig. 1) machined in the upward extending member 2 and carry rollers 11a and 12a freely mounted upon their respective studs 11b and 12b (see Fig. 2) the forming arm 12 is held in its groove forwardly by `the right angle member 21, while the forming armll srheld in its groove by a bracket 59 attached to the upward extending member 2 by two screws 60. (In the drawings only one cam groove is shown, being marked 10a in the cam gear 10, YThe cam gear 9 however having a correspondinggroove.)

`The wire 28, for the clips is fed through by the feedfrollers'13 and 14 (see Fig. 2) the shaft 15, to'which the driving feed roller 13 is attached, is driven by a five toothed Geneva gear 16, (see Figs. 1 and`l2) which in turn is operated by the Geneva driver 17 attached'to a gear 18, meshing witha gear 19. The `Geneva driver 17 and the gear 18 revolve upon a stud 65, securely fastened into the upward extending member 2. The gear 19 is securely fastened'tothe shaft 20, which is likewise.

attachedto the grooved cam gear 9. In the case. offthe cam gear 105 mounted upon the shaft 31, is" it merely retained in position by the collar 32 (see Fig.l1 in which View the cam gear 10 itself has been removed for clearness and its axis shaft 31v shown broken away). Attached to the upward extending member 2 is a right angle member 21 securely fastened bythe screws 66 and 66a. This member carries the aforementioned feed rolls 13 and 14 the adjustable straightening rolls 21a, 2lb and 21e the fixed rolls 22a and 22h, and the dovetailed member 33 (best seen in Fig. 2). The shaft 15 (Fig. 2) is attached to the hub of the Geneva gear 16 supported through the upward extending member 2 and through the' right angle member 21. The feed rolls 13 and 14 are grooved to suit-the wire 28. The automatically adjustable iso feed roller 14 attached to the shaft 23 is mounted in sliding block form. Attached to the bosses 34, 34a, 35 and 35a by screws into the screw holes of same 36, 36a, 37 and 37a is a plate laterally supporting the feedroller shaft 15, and a sliding block journalling the shaft 23 as hereinafter explained. (The plate however is not shown for clearness.) In the right angle member 21 a lipped sliding block 22 is freely vertically movable, and a similar block is freely movable in the plate not shown. These two blocks journal the shaft 23. A plate 26 attached-to the right angle member 21 by screws 27, extends forwardly and is secured by two similar screws to the plate not shown.` Between the plate 26, the block 22 and the block not shown are inserted compressed rubber pads 25. These rubber pads 25 form an upward pressure on the sliding blocks in which the shaft 23 is journalled and so apply automatic adjustable pressure to the wire 28 for feed purposes. The floating shaft 23 is driven by a gear attached forward of the plate not shown and meshed with a gear fastened to the shaft 15 forward of the plate not shown in the regular feed roll manner. The straightening rolls are those regularly used in the art and need not be explained. The wire 28 after leaving the feed rolls is passed through a hardened sleeve 29. This sleeve 29 is positioned in the right angle member 21 by the set screw 39 (see Fig. 2). The chop off block 38 is securely fastened into the dovetailed member 33 by the screw 42 (see Fig. l). This chop off block contains a semicircular recess 40, lso that as the dovetailed member 33 moves forward, the wire is chopped off against the sheer edge ofthe hardened sleeve 29 and the hardened chop off block 38. It is apparent that a sheer motion is obtained between the hardened sleeve 29 and the chop off block 38 so that a cutting effect is obtained. The piece of wire thus cut,is held in the semicircular recess 40 of the block 38, as the block 38 is magnetized. Set screws 41 (see Fig. 1) are supplied for. adjustingthe chop off block 38 to sheer the wire against the hardened sleeve 29. This adjustment is made by an elongated-slot being machined in the block 38 for the supporting screw 42.

The member 33 is equipped with a stud 43, upon which revolves a roller 44 (see Fig. 1) riding in the cam groove 45 of the circular cam 4. The action caused by the rotation of the circular cam 4 reciprocates themember 33, thus chopping off` the length of wire fed through by the feed rollers, being suicient to form the clip required.

The chop off block 38 is 'slotted in order to pass over the forming anvil section of the transmission bar 30, and to allow space for the wire holding slide 8 to take effect upon the already cutoff wire when delivered, and so on its rearward motion carries the cut off wire to butt against the upward extending member 2. At the time that this occurs, the high point 7 of the cam 6 previously described, comes in contactwith thewire holding slide 8, thus locking the wire'tight to the aforementioned forming anvil 30. This locked position of the wire remains until the groove 45 of the circular cam 4 moves forward the dovetailed member 33 sufficiently to allow the forming arms 11 and 12 to become operative, as previously explained. Upon so doing the high point 7 of the cam 6 will have passed over the wire holding slide 8 so that the spring 46 `supported in the bracket 47 and under compression against a bent pin 48 in the wire holding slide 8, will force the slide back to the low partof the cam 6. This slide 8 descends between the slot in the chop off block 38 so that the mechanical force applied overcomes the magnetism of the chop off block 38 and retains the chopped piece of wire tight to the forming anvil 30, and in this position the dovetailed member 33 is reciprocated forward by the rotation of the cam 4. The two forming arms 11 and 12 are synchronized to operate in their forming motion immediately following the recession of the dovetailed member 3,3. Upon the completion of the forming operation the arms 11 and 12 are kreturned to their neutral position by the previously explained grooves in the cam gears 9 and 10.

The clip after being formed is vmoved off the forming anvil by the kick off sleeve 49 for its gravity movement downthe incline section of the transmission bar 30. This sleeve 49 at its rearward end carries on` its circumference a grooved collar 50, in which groove two small rollers ride, carried by the semicircular sections of the kick off arm 51. The kick off arm 51 is fulcrumed on the stud 53, carried in the bracket 52, which is firmly supported in the upward extending member 2 (see Fig. 1). This arm 51 on its upper extremity is machined to allow the free rotation of a ball 54. This ball rides in a groove 55 in the shaft 3 and is reciprocated in its kicking motion by the action of the spiral groove (see Fig-1) which mechanical action causes the sleeve 49 to eject the formed clip from the forming-anvil 30 and return to its neutral position. The portion of the forming anvil 30 upon which the sleeve 49 reciprocates is fastened at its rearward extremity by a bracket 56 fastened to the base of the machinel by a screw 57 and is held in this bracket by a set screw 58.

The clip to be formed in shape'resembles va horse-shoe, and it is essential that the clip must not rotate upon the transmission bar 30. For this reason a small bracket 61 attached to the upwardV extending member 2 by a screw 62 (see Figs. 1 and 2) prevents the 'clip from rotating. A similar lip is provided on the supporting means 64 of the incline section of the transmission bar 30, while the transmission bar support slide 63 (see Fig; 1) prevents the clip from rotating after itsgravitation down the incline section of the transmission bar v30, where it is fed in notch progression to the closing pliers.

Clip transmission Attached to the member 33 is a pivotal block 68, (see Fig. 1) in a slot of which is freely mounted the latch finger blade 69 upon the 130 journal pin VF71, and also the delivery blade 'l0 (see Figs. l-and 7). The horizontal part of the transmission-bar 30 is notched in ratchet form so that as a clip is'gravitated down the incline section thereof, it falls into the notch at the rearward end of same. As the dovetailed member 33 is reciprocated rearward, (as previously explained) the rearwardfinger of the latch finger blade 69 rides upward over the clip lying in the aforementioned rearward notch. Upon riding 14o over the clip the aforementioned finger vso engages the clip that as the `member 33 reciprocates forward the clip is likewise moved and deposited in the next notch forward on the transmission bar 30. In order to continue the transmission of the clips, latch finger members '72 and '73 are provided, freely mounted on the blade 69 by shoulder screws 74 and 74a (see Fig.l 7). These finger members actuate in exactly the same manner as the rearward finger of the latch finger 15C moving arm 98.

blade 69, andso upon each reciprocation of the member 33 cause the clip to be transmitted one notch forward.

The transmission bar support slide 63 rides in a slot in the base of the machinel (see Fig. 6). To the outer 'extremity of this slide is attached a circular pilot portion (see Fig. 7) containing a dowel '76. This slide 63 is grooved, as shown in Fig. 6, to support the `transmission bar 30 at its outer extremity, while at its inner extremity it is supported by the incline section 64 attached to the base 1 of the machine by two screws.

After the transmission bar has been completely filled with clips, one in each notch on same, the delivery blade 70 takes the forward clip and progresses it onto the vcircular pilot portion '75 attached to the transmission bar support slide 63 (see Fig. 7) When the clip has been progressed midway onto the circular pilotportion 75, the support slide pin arm 77 attached Yto the member 33V by screws 78 and 78a, engages the pin '79 in the support slide 63 and both the delivery finger '70 and the support slide pin armrl' operated from the member 33 synchronize to pilot and force the clip into the jaws-of the pliers in which a recess holds it secure. The pin 79 is upwardly bent as shown in Fig. 6 and is retarded by a spring fastened; to the frame 1. (The upward extending portion of the pin 79 and the spring 80 have, beeneliminated in all figures except Fig. 6 for clearness.) Upon a complete neutral position being obtained, the circular pilot portion 75 is butted against the transmission bar 30. The dowel 76 in the circular pilot portion 75 enters a corresponding dowel hole 81 in the transmission bar 30. The frame 1 is machined away on the left hand side, sufficiently to allow free operation of the aforementioned pin 79 (see Fig. 6).

Closing operation At the forward end of the machine the drive shaft 3 is journalled in the forward slide block member 82, attached to the main frame 1 by screws 107 and 108. Attached to theshaft 3 is a gear 83 and a groove cam 84. f The gear 83 meshes with a pinion 85 journalledon a stud 86, secured in the slide block member 82, and is laterally heldin place by a large headed screw 87 (see Figs. 1, 3 and 5). The pinion85 meshes with one of two meshed gears 88 and 89. The two gears 88 and 89 areY attached to shafts 90 and 91, journalled through the slide block member 82, and carry upon their outward ends two high point cams'92 and 93.

The long armed pliers 94 are pivotally mounted on a dovetailed sliding member 95 by a shoulder screw 96 (see Fig. 3). Securely fastened into the dovetailed slidingI member 95 is a stud-97, which rides in the elongated slot of the plier This arm is pivotally mounted on the outwardly projecting end of the aforementioned stud 86, lateraly held in position by Ya taper ended screw -101.(see Fig. l). Securely held in the upward extremity of the arm 98 is a roller stud 99; upon which is freely mounted the roller 100 riding in the groove of the cam 84. Thus it will be seenthat as the drive shaft 3 makes one revolution the dovetailed sliding member 95 is carried downward and returned.

`Securely fastened into the slide block member 82 are two projecting studs 102 and 103. (See Fig. 3.) These studs carry finger pressing springs 104 and 105. Between the long armed pliers is a compressed coil spring `106. The coil spring 106 is overpowered by the finger pressed springs 104 and 105, so that when the clip is delivered to the pliers, the mouth of the pliers is forced open, against the tension of the two finger pressed springs, and the clip rests-snugly in the recess provided in pliers. Upon the backward movement of the afore-described transmission bar support slide 63, (containing the circular pilot portion 75, and delivery blade 70), the dovetailed sliding member 95 carrying the long armed pliers 94 is timed to make its downward movement. As this movement occurs the plier arms pass downward free of the finger pressed springs 104 and 105 and the compression of the coil spring 106 tends to force the plier arms open against the two neutral radii of the high point cams 92 and 93. The plier arms are not parallel to each other and the taper allowed on same when the plier arms are at rest against the two neutral radii of the high point cams 92 and 93 causes a slight closing effect to hold the clip in position on the downward movement of the dovetailed sliding member 95. As the pliers begin to near the limit of their downward movement, the two high points of the cams 92 and 93 driven by the aforementioned gears 88 and 89, upon their respective shafts, close the two arms'of the pliers together simultaneously so as to close the clip together and securely fasten the required pieces together. As the pliers ascend the high points of the cams 92 and 93 have passed over the plier arms and the coil spring 106 forces the plier arms out to ride against the neutral radii of the cams. The closed clip is now free of the recess in the pliers, and the pliers are returned to the position as shown in Fig. 3, ready to receive the next clip from the aforementioned transmission mechanism.

As will be seen in Fig. 3 the pliers resemble arrow points, so that in clipping together two of the spiral coil springs in mattress or cushion construction that have a cotton or textile covering, the covering will be pierced .where tautness is encountered, but where tautness is not encountered the arrow points will draw together the slackness when closing the clip around the respective coils.

In the case of open coil spring construction my invention is designed to clip together two adjacent coils with greater speed than when covered with fabric, but with equal efficiency.

What I claim is:

1. In a machine of the class described the combination of a forming anvil to partially form a clip adjoining a disposedlipped transmission bar andV a sleeve supporting the forming anvil and free to moveforward the partially formed clip to the disposed section of the transmission bar, a notched transmission bar andreciprocatingtransmission means to move the partially formed clips forward on the transmission bar to the closing means, and means for closing the partially formed clip around two other pieces securely fastening them together.

2. A machine of the class described to feed a predetermined length of wire to a shearing knife,

a shearing knife to cut and deliver rearwardly i the piece of wire to a forming anvil, forming means to partially form a clip, a forming anvil around which the clip is formed, and means for ejecting the partially formed clip from the forming anvil, means for transmitting the partially formed clip forwardly to mechanically operated closing pliers, and closing pliers to close automatically a clip in fastening together two other pieces. v

3. A machine of the class described having a notched transmission bar, forming means to partially form a clip to conform to the transmission bar so as to allow only forward horizontal movement of the clips, a reciprocating finger movement means to transfer the partially formed clips one notch forward on the transmission bar at each reciprocation of the transfer means, and a notched transmission bar upon which the partially formed clips are transferred from the forming means to the closing means.

4. In a machine of the class described the combination of a high point cam, a vertically movable member operated by same to securely hold the cut wire on the forming anvil while being partially formed, a horizontally reciprocated member containing the cutting means, which means holds the cut wire and delivers same to the forming anvil, means for cutting the wire and a forming anvil around which the cut wire is partially formed.

5. In a machine of the class described, the combination of moving members formed as gravity fingers to control the forward movement of the partially formed clips onthe notched transmission bar, a notched transmission bar to support the partially formed clips and to allow only forward movement of same, closing means to receive the partially formed clips from the transmission bar and to secure them around two other pieces.

6. In a machine of the class described for partially forming a wire clip and transferring same to a closing means and closing means to securely fasten same around two or more pieces, the combination of two angular rforming arms to produce the semi-formed clip, a forming anvil around which the clip is formed, a notched transmission bar upon which the partially formed clips are transferred, transfer means for moving the partially formed clip one notch forward on the notched transmission bar at each cycle of the machine to the closing means, and closing means independent of the partial forming means to complete the closing of a wire clip around two o1' more pieces.

7. In a machine of the class described the combination of a circular grooved cam and slidable member reciprocated by same, a notched transmission bar to positively support the partially formed clips and transmission fingers carried on the slidable member to transfer the clips one notch forward upon the notched transmission bar with each reciprocation of the slidable member, closing means independent of the partial forming means by which means the clip is completely closed around two or more pieces.

8. In a machine of the class described the combination of feeding means to feed the wire a predetermined length, combined cutting and delivery means of same to a forming anvil, a forming anvil adjoining a disposed lipped transmission bar and a sleeve supporting said anvil and free to move forward the partially formed clips to the disposed section of the transmission bar, a disposed lipped transmission bar, transfer means to transmit the partially formed clips forward to the closing means, forming means for partially forming a wire clip and closing means to securely fasten the clip around two other pieces.

9. In a machine of the class described the com- HARRY CARL PASS 

